Storage and dispensing device



Dea 24, `1940- K. s. CLAPP 2,225,622

STQRAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed my 11, 19384 2 sheets-sheet 1 z I i -2% w INVETOR. BY Ken/7627i 15 67a 1 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 24, 1940.` K. s. cLAPP STORAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Ken/78M S. 670,0,0 f//W- /ll/l www ATTORNEY.

'I UNITED STATES PATeN'l" OFFICE s'ronAGE AND msPENsING DEVICE Kenneth S. Clapp, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application July 11, 193s, serial No. zlssoo.

16 claims. (Cl. 221-95) My invention relates, in general, to storage and dispensing devices, and more particularly to devices for handling containers of iluid, such as, lubricants and the like, and for providing communication with the-containers.

An object of my invention is to provide a device for storing containers within an open space in a floor surface and for providing communication' with the container from above the floor surface.

Another object is to provide a housing for a fluid container beneath the level of the surrounding fioor surface and in position for affording communication with the container from 16 above the floor surface.

nAnother object is to provide apparatus for handling drums or containers of lubricants to permit ready communication with the container placed below the surrounding iioor or ground surface.

Another object is to provide a device for dis-i pensing fluid from a container, which device occupies a minimum of floor surface.

Another object is to provide a uid dispensing sertion and removal of the container from the device and the substitution of other containers.

Another obJ'ect is to provide apparatus for,

facilitating the placement in, and withdrawal of a fluid container from, the apparatus.

A further object is to provide a device for raising and lowering a conduitextending into the opening of a container. to facilitate the sideward movement of the container in placing the container in and out ofthe device.

A stili further object is to provide a system of elevating means for lowering and raising the container in a dispensingdevice, and a system l of elevator means for raising and lowering a conduit extending into the openingin the top of the container.

. Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunctionv with the accompanying drawings, in which-z Y Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of my device in raised position;

Figure 2 is a right -hand end elevational view of the dev/ice shown in Figure 1, and lshows the device lin lowered position;

Figure 3 illustrates a plan view 'of my device positioned between two automobile lifts;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of another form of my invention and shows the device in lowered position; 1 J 5 Figure 5 is a right hand end elevational view ofthe right hand end of Figure 4 and shows the device in partially raised position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 and shows the device in fully raised position; and 10 Figure 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the connecting members extending between the ,upper and lower platform of the device shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6.

A particular adaptation of my invention is in 15 the handling of drums or containers of lubricant or similar fluids in garages and service Vstations where such lubricants are dispensed to automobiles being serviced. Heretofore,it has been necessary, in order to have the container 20 of lubricant handy to the location of the lubricating operation,.for the container to be placed upon the :door adjacent to the automobile being serviced. In some instances, compartments or. cabinets have beenl placed-aboutthe container 25 and pump mechanism carried thereon in order to provide a housing therefor. In either case much'valuable floor space is utilized and the operator finds it necessary in moving about the vIn busy garages or service stations, they may be `depleted every twoor three days, requiring frequent replacement oi' full containers. While lt is necessary to have the fluid container-in a close by position so that direct communication may be readily provided with the container, it is also well known to all those acquainted in the industry that a proper and an efficient disposition and handling of such containers vare serious problems which have long` existed without a sat- 50 isfactory remedy. This problem is especially true in relatively confined quarters where considerable iloor space is -not available. 'It is even more emphatically true in those instances when it is necessary to have the container in adjacent u position to the location of the automobile and where the placing of the container or the-compartment containing the container on the floor in such adjacent position is awkward and interferes with the operator in the lubricating work being done.

It has also been found that a compartment for the container and pump mechanism which set` container being both heavy and large, does lnot lend itself to easy handling and it isa most sought for objective/to handlethe containers with facility and safety. y

To those acquainted in the field of lubricating service and with the inadequacies of the present equipment, the advantages of my invention will be recognized. It is the problems and difficulties in the industry and here discussed to which the present embodiments of my invention disclosed herein are particularly directed. It is understood,

however, that while the present embodiments have particular reference to the dispensing of lubricating fluid, they are not tobe considered as confined thereto. Other uses and adaptations together with the necessary changes of arrangement or construction arel included within the scope of my invention. y

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a large open space or hole I2 formed in the floor or around surface II. For purposes of definitionin the description and the claims, the'term oor is to be understood in both a technical and general sense, as including the floor of a building, a run-way, a platform, the surface of the earth, and all, other planes upon which the-operator normally walks. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure l, the open space I2 is formed by the building of a pit inthe earth I4 and the constructionof the surrounding walls I3 of concrete or other material.. In this manner the open space y I2 is provided in the earth and extends down' wardly from the surface of the floor II. There is a drain I8 positioned at the bottom of the open space I2 and any water or waste iiuid will iiow therein and be drained olf. -f I Upon the upper edges of the concrete wall I3,

the inner corner is depressed around the inner edge thereof to form the depressed edge portion I5. There is provided a number of small drain` openings I6 which permit any water orotherliiuid collecting in the depressed edge portion I 5 to flow through the concrete wall I3 into the surrounding earth I4 and there absorbed. The concrete wall I3 lines the open space I2 and has a ledge portion I'I .extending around the inside of the open space I2 and near the bottom thereof.

The platform member 30-andthe support member 20 are plates preferably madebf steel and are positioned substantially parallel to each other. Four connecting members v29 in the form of steel posts or tubes are connected to both the platform member 30 and the support member 20 adjacent to their four corners, respectively. The four connecting members 29 may be securedto the members 20 and 30 by welding or any other suitable means, so that the members 28 and 38 are secure-y ly fastened together by means of the connecting members 23, thus insuring that the vertical movement of one member is translatedinto movement of the other member. In eifect, the platform member 38 and the support member 20 provide a double platform which may be' raised and lowered together. v

Two piston stems or rods 2I'are rigidly secured to the underside of the platform member 38 and adjacent to the opposltefendsthere'of. The pls- -tons 28 are mounted upon the lower ends of the piston stems 2l, respectively. The cylinder members 22 are positioned within the open space I2 and are suitably supported in Avertical position therein upon slabs of concrete laid in the earth I4. The arrangement of the cylinder members 22 with the pistons 28 and piston/stems 21 constitute fluid pressure means connected to the platform member 30.

A valve member 28 is suitably connected with 'and in communication with a source of come` pressed air or other suitable iiuid from a compressor (not shown) and the compressed air is introduced through the valve member 28, the pipe 25, and the pipes 23 and l24, to the bottom of the. cylinders 22. Therefore, when the valve member 28 is operated in one position, the compressed air is introduced into the cylinders 22'sc as to raise the pistons 28 therein, thereby raising the platform member 30. Upon turning the valve member in the other direction, the source of compressed air is shut on' and the compressed air within the cylinders 22 is released to lower .the

the cylinder members 22and are therefore guided thereby in the up and down movement of the support move'ment 20. In th'edownward position of the support member 28, theflange members 2I engage the ledge I'I to provide a rest for the support member 28. y Y

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, there are shown four standards mounted upon and secured to, the upper surface of the platform ,a member 30.d Each standard may be utilized for handling a different lubricant, as for example, standard 3I may dispense a hipoid gear lubricant, standard 32 may dispense chassis lubricant, standard 33 may dispense high pressure lubricant, and standard 34 may handle waste oil and lubricants drained from automobiles. Standard 3| and 33 are Vconstructed with meters 31 for measuring the lubricants dispensed. 'I'he standard 32 is provided with the head 38 in place of the meters 31. Each of the standards 3l, 32,

" 33 have hoses 39 connected thereto and the valve nozzles 40 mounted upon the ends of the hoses 38. In this manner, the dispensing standards are provided with readily dispensable hoses for direct communication with the automobile beinglubricated. The standard 34 is adapted to receive waste drainy of oils taken from automobiles and for this purpose an extensible pipe 36 is connected to the top thereof so that the funnel 38 may be variously placed under the automobile and communication established through the pipe 35 and through the standard 34. Each of the standards 3|, 32, 33 and 34, have a pipe or conduit,V

member 33 with the rubber hose 41, and thel conduit 44 extends directly down through the platform member 33. The hoses 33 are in communil5 cation with the conduits 4|, 42, and 43, respectively. 'I'he support member 23 is adapted to support a plurality of fluid containers thereon such as the containers 55, 55, 51, and 53 shown upon the support member 23 in Figure 1. Containers 55,

53, and 51 contain a supply of the respective lubricant to be dispensed through the hoses 33 carried by the standards 3|, 32, and 33. Container 53 is adapted to receive waste or other uids withdrawn from automobiles being serviced and flowing -through the funnel 33, the pipe 35, and the conduit 44. Each of the containers has an opening in the top thereof to afford communication directly with the interior of the container.

'I'he lower end of the conduit 44 through whichY In order to pump the fluid from the containers 55, 56, and 51, there are provided suitable pump mechanisms 43, 53, and 52 which include pumps and motors, for withdrawing the uid therefrom.

A source of compressed -air orother suitable operating means connected to the pump mechanisms is l utilized for operating the pump in the pump cylinders. For purposeof simplicityand clarityof the drawings the means of delivering the compressed air to the several pump mechanisms 43, 33, and

52 is not shown inthe drawings. A pipe connected tothe source of compresser air is brought down through the earth on`the outside of the pit and terminates with a hose connection entering L55 the open space |,2 at the bottom of the open space I2. Rubber hoses or other flexible conduits capable of coiling are attached to the hose connection and conduct thecompressed air to the several. pump mechanisms. When the A support member 23 1s in the downward position, lthe excess length of therubber hoses may lie in the bottom of the open space |2, and when in the raised position, the rubber hoses are extended to the pump Vmechanisms raised upon the containers. A suitable valve controls the flow of compressed air to the pump mechanisms. The pump mechanism 43 and the pump cylinder 43 extended downwardly therefrom are supported upon the top of the container 55 insuch a way that-the pump cylinder 43 extends down into the opening in the topof the container 55 to pump fluid therefrom. The hose 45 is in direct communication with the pump cylinder 43 so that the fluid pumped up out of the container flows fromy the pump cylinder 43, through the hose 45. through the conduit 41, the conduit 43, and the hose 33 of the standard v 33.

3 4 I, and out through the 'connecting rubber hose 39.

'The pump mechanism 53 and pump cylinder 5| similarly connected and operated are mounted upon the container 56 and communicationis l5l similarly provided for pumping uid from the container 53 up through the rubber -hose 43, the conduit 42, andthe hose 33 of the standard 32.

The pump mechanism 52 and pump cylinder 53 13.

similarly connected and operated are mounted upon the container 51 and the fluid in the container 51 is pumped up through the rubber-hosev'Ihe rubber'hoses 45, 43, and 41 ,are relatively long to permit the containers 55, 53, and 51 to be first moved sidewards oil the support member Y 23 and out from under the platform member 33 and the pump mechanisms and pump cylinders 23 to be then lifted off the containers. 'Ihis extensibility of the hoses 45, 45, and 41 facilitate.l

the removal and substitution of containers `onf-1 the support member when the device is in the raised position. The pump mechanisms and`25 pump cylinders may then be mounted'uponthe substituted containers before they are moved sidewards into position on the support member.

Figure 2 being a right hand end elevational" view of Figure 1, shows the relative .positioningo f of the parts and illustrates the position of the connecting members 23 adjacent to the four corners of the support member 23. Figure-2 illustrating the device in lowered position shows.

thatin such position the platform member A33 35l rests upon the wall I3 within the depresseddge.. `portion |5. In the lowered position the top face of the platform member 33 is flush with the floor and the containers are stored below the surface of the floor Il with communication pro-` .vided up through the platform member 33 to` a position above the floor surface il.

Figure 3 illustrates a plan view Aoi my device, mounted between two automobile lifts 53 and-3 3. 'I'he platform member 33 is substantially parallel to the runways of the lifts 53 a'nd 5 3 and is substantially .intermediate the two liftsi The funnel 33 is illustrated ,in -drainingjposi'- tion under the lift 53 with the 4 extensible pipe 35 in extended position. The 'device' shown; in Figure 3 in the downward position of,.Fig-.-

and 34 extend above the surrounding yfloor. i surface upon which the operator walks. In this manner only a minimum of floorspace is 55 l utilizedby the lubrication dispensing device and in position upon the substitute containers, and, l the substitute containers moved into place on the support member 23. 'I'he exible end of the con- 11 duit 44 may be nexed to permit the sideward movement of the container 53. or if the end ris rigid the container may be sugnu'y upped to clear. u'

ure 2 so that only the standards 3|, 32,' 33,'v

= u pin 10 moving up and down the end. After `replacement of the containers the valve member 26 is again operated and the platform member 30 and support member 20'are lowered into the position of Figure 2. The con- 5 tainers are then clearly out of the way and the device is ready for the dispensing of fluid from the containers. 'I'he compressed `air for operating the 'pump mechanisms 48,50, and 52, is supplied through the described exible conduits (not shown) `so that the pump mechanisms are always connected with the source of compressed air for operation of the pump mechanisms. Different control means may be utilized for controlling the pumping operation of the pump mechanisms. A preferable manner of control is to adjust the suitable valve provided to admit compressed air to the air motors of the several pump mechanisms. A pressure of the fluid being pumped is 'then built up in the system and the fluid under pressure is released and dispensed only upon the opening of the appropriate valve nozzle 40. The arrangement of my device is suchthat the uid containers are stored below the surface of a floor and yet maintained in ready position for direct communication from above the floor surface.

In Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, there is illustrated a modified form of my device in which there is added an auxiliary movement of thesupport member 20 relative to the platform member 30. In this modified form longer pistons and cyiin- Vders are utilized, in order to obtain the additional movement. The two cylinders 66 extend from within the open spacje I2 down through the bottom of the open space I2 and are supported in movement of the piston 64 within the cylinders` 5 66'.v The stops 65 engaging the upper end of the cylinders $6 prevent the pistons 64 from going completely to the top of the cylinders 66 and brace the piston stems 63 when in raised position against any sway or sideward movement. Since wthe piston stems 63 and cylinders 66 vare longer than the piston stems 21 and cylinders 22 of the 'A form shown in Figure 1, it is seen that the piatform member 30 may be raised to a considerably greater height than the form of the device shown in Figure 1.

v- -Instead of the connecting members 29 directiyconnecting the platform member 30 and the suDDOrt member 120 as was done in the formof Figure 1, telescoping connecting members 61 and w 63 are utilized in this modified form. Therod members 61 are secured to the platformv member 30 adjacent to the four corners thereof. The

cylindricaltelescopic members 68 are secured to the supportmember adjacent to the four cor- 55 ners thereof. As is better illustrated in Figure 7,

the rod member 61 telescopically fits within the cylindrical member 63 to form a united extensible member connecting the platform member 3l and support member 20. To limit the telescopic 70 movement between the rod member 67 and cv-l lindrical member 6l, longitudinal slots I3 are provided in the cylindrical member .68 and a cross pin -1Ilsecured to the rod memberl l1 slldably engages within theV slots Il., Therefore, by the within the slots Il a suitable manner upon concrete slabs positioneda limited telescopic movement is permitted within the extensible combination of the rod member 61 and cylindrical member 68.

. In the modified form shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7

mechanism 13 and pump cylinder 14 are carried by the platform member 3D under the standard 32, and the pump mechanism `I5 and the pump cylinder 16 are carried by the platform member 30 under the standard 33. The arrangement is such that, upon upward'movement of the platform member 30 relative to the containers positionedbelow, the pump cylinders or inlets 12, 14, and 16V are raised upwardly and out of the openings in the tops of the containers, respectively, .thereby clearing the containers to permit sideward movement of the containers on the support mem'- ber 20. Similarly the conduit 44 is raised upwardly with the platform member 30 so as to be withdrawn from the container 59 and thus permitting sideward movement of the container 58 member 26 is operated to operate the fluid pressure means comprising the cylinders 66, piston 64, and piston stems 63. 'Ihe platform member 30 is thereupon raised upwardly by the fluid pressure means to the position illustrated in Figure 5. As the telescoping members 61 and 68 are permitted to move relative to each other, the support member 20 is not raised upwardly from the ledge I1. This initial movement of the platform mem. ber 30 relative to the support member 20 withdraws thepump cylinders or inlets from the openings in the tops o f the containers so as to clear the containers. yThe initial movement of the platform member 30 relative to the supportg member 20 is illustrated in Figure 5, which shows the pump cylinder or inlet 'I2 withdrawn from the container 55. At this point the pins 10 are [at or near the top of the slots 69 but have not as yet exercised an upward pull upon the cylindri- `cal members 68. Upon further upward movement of the platform member '30, the pins 10 engage the tops of the slots 69 and the rod members 61 pull upwardly upon the cylindrical member 68. This upward pull of the telescoping members 61l and'68 extending between the platform member 30 and support member 20 thereby raises the support member 20 upwardfy. The length of the parts and arrangement thereof are such that, upon the piston 64 reaching its upper limit, the device is in the position shown in Figure 6. As is,

vseen in view of Figure 6, th'e containers are raised When effected, the valve member 26 is again operated` -again inserted within the respective openings in the tops of the containers. The sequence oi movement from the raised position to the lowered position is successively shown in Figure 6, Figure 5, and Figure'4. When in thelower position, the containers are again stored below the surface of thefioor and communication is again established through the conduits extending through the platform member 30 to provide for the dispensing of fluid from the containers to points above the level of the floor. l

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted vto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for holding a fluid container below the level of a floor within an open space in said floor and in position for communication with said container from above the saidfioor, comprising, in combination, a platform member adapted to close said open space at said floor level; a support member connected to, and positioned below, said platform member within said open space, said support member being adapted to support said fluid container below said platform member,

. a conduit carried by said platform member, said conduit being adapted to provide communica-v tion with said container from above the platform member, and raising means for raising and lowering said platform member, the combination of lthe platform member, the support member,

the conduit, and thev raising means being such that a container may be placed upon the support member and the conduit placed in communication with the container when the platform member and support member are 'in a raised position and s uch that the container is positioned below the floor level in the said open space closed by the platform member when the platform 4member andsupport member are in a lowered position.

' 2. A device for covering a fluid container below, and within an open space of, a floor surface lin position for communication from above the below theV platform member, connecting means connecting said platform member and said support member, a conduit carried by, and extending through, the platform member, said conduit being adapted to be placed in communication with said container, and means for raising and lowering said platform member and said support member together so" that in raised position ingress is afforded to said container raised onthe support member and in lowered position the said open space is closed by the platform member and communication is provided from above the platform member through said conduit to the said container on the support member.

3. The combination of cover means for closing an open space provided in a oor, support means forsupporting a iiuid container within said open space below the cover means, conduit means carried by, and extending through, the cover means for -providing communication with said container from above the cover means, and raising means for raising and lowering the cover means and support means for uncovering lthe open space and raising the container to accessible position, and for covering the open space and lowering the container belowl the level of they iioor.

4. The combination of cover means for closing an open space provided in a iioor, supportmeans for supporting a fluid container within said open space below the cover means, conduit means A carried by, and extending through the cover means for providing communication with said container from above the cover means, and raising means for raising and lowering 'the cover means so that the open space may be uncovered to provide access to the container and so that the open space with'the container therein may be covered over. 4

5. A device for covering a fluid container below, and within an open space of, a floor in position for communication from above the said oor,

comprising, in combination, a platform member adapted to close said open space, supporting means positioned below the platform member for supporting said container below the platform member, a conduit carried by the platform member, said conduitbeing adapted to extend downwardly into. and to communicate with, said container supported bythe supporting means, a connecting member carried by said platform member and extended downwardly into said open space, engaging means carried by the .connecting member and adapted to 4engage said supporting means, rest means for supporting said supporting means, and raising means for`raising and lowering said platform member, the arrangement of the platform member, supporting means, connecting member, engagingmeans, and raising y.means being such that the platform member raised by the raising means first raises the conduit from within said container and next successively raises the supporting means from the restmeans to raise the said container in the said open space to substantially the level of said floor. 6. A device for covering afiuid container below, and within an open 'space of, a iioor in position for communication from above said iioor, comprising, in combination, a platform member adapted to `close said open space, a support member for supporting said container below the platform member, a conduit carried by, and extending downwardlythrough the platform member, saidlconduit being adapted to extend into, and to communicate with, said container supported by the support member, raising means for raising andV lowering the platform member to uncover and to cover said open space, a first connecting member extending from the platform member, and a second connecting member extending from the support member, one of said connecting members having an engaging portion extended therefrom and adapted to engage the other of the said connecting members, the arrangement of the connecting members being such that the raising means first moves the platform member relative to the support member to withdraw the conduit from the container and such that the raising means secondly moves the platform member and support member together to place the container in readily accessible position at the level of said floor.

7. In combination, cover means for covering a fluid container within an open space of a floor,

10 conduit means carried by said cover means, said i tainer from 'above the said cover means, support o means for supporting the container in the said open space below the cover means, and raising means for raising the cover means above said open space, for withdrawing the said conduit from the. container, and for raising the support means in said open space.

8. In combination, a first platform member adapted to close an open space in a floor, a second platform member adapted to support a uid container in said open space below the rst platform member, a conduit carried by, and extending through, the first platform member and being adapted to extend downwardly into the fluid container to provide communication with the container from'above the first platform member, .and means for raising the first platform member aloneto withdraw the conduit from the container supported on the second platform member and for raising'the first platform member and second platform member together to 85 raise the container in said open space into accessible position at substantially the level of the floor.

9. In combination, cover means for closing an open space within a floor, support means for 40' supporting a fluid container within said open space below said cover means, connecting means connecting said cover means and said support means, fluid conducting means mounted upon said cover means to provide communication with the container from above the cover means, pump means in communication with the said fluid conducting means to pump fluid from the said container through said fluid conducting means, and

fluid pressure means for raising said cover means and said support means to uncover said open space and to raise the said container in said open space.

10. The combination of a double platform, the upperplatform being adapted to close an open space in a floor and the lower platform being adapted to support a uid container within the openspace, a standard mounted upon, and extended above, the upper platform, a iiuid conduit carried by, and extended through, the said 50 standard, said iiuid conduit being adapted to extend into, and to communicate with, the s aid "container, and uid pressure means mounted within said open space for raising and lowering said double platform so that the container may be readily stored in said open space and the open space closed.

11. A device for dispensing above `a iioor sur- -f face uid from a container within an open space in said floor, through an opening in the top of the container, comprising, in combination, a supsaid fluid conduit being adapted to be inserted down into the opening in the top of the cony tainer, a pump mechanism canied by the cover member for pumping fluid from the container through the uid conduit to above said door sur- 5 face, telescoping means connecting said support member and said cover member, means for limiting the telescoping movement of said telescoping means, and uid pressure means for raising said cover member above the said floor surface, 1C the telescoping means being arranged so that the cover member isrst raised suiiiciently from the support member for the iiuid conduit to clear the container and is then further raised to lift the support member and vthe container supported 15 thereon to position for moving the container on and off the support member from the said iioor 12. A device for holding a fiuid container in position for use below -a surface, said surface 2C having an open space thereon, comprising, in combination, a platform member adapted to close said open space at said surface, a support member for supporting said container below said platform, a` uid conduit carried by, and extend- 25 ing downwardly from, said platform, said conduit being adapted to be inserted into said container, an extension member connecting said platform member and said support member for permitting a limited vertical movement between said -plat- 30 form member .and said support member, and fluid pressure means for moving one of said platform members and said support member, the arrangementof the platform member, the support member, and extension member being such that said 35 limited vertical movement of the platform member and support member relative to each other clears the said fluid conduit from said container to facilitate its sideward movement on and off 'the support member and being such that moveo ment of one of the platform members and support member in excess of said limited vertical movement moves the other of said platform members and support member to provide for the closing and opening of said open space .and the 5 lowering and raising of the said container on the support member.

13. In combination, housing means for housing a container within an open spade in a floor, said container having .an opening in its top, said 50 housing means being arranged to be raised and lowered relative to the container, adispensing member carried by the housing means through which fluid may be dispensed from the container, said dispensing member being extended down- 55 wardly from the housing-means and being adapted to extend Iinto the container through the said opening in the top thereof, means for raising the housing means and dispensing member above the container to cause the dispensing member to 60 clear the container and' for raising the container in theopen space to substantially the level of said floor.

14. In an apparatus for handling fluids, the combination of a cover plate for closing an open 55 space provided in a floor upon which the operations take place in utilizing the apparatus, a support member connected to, and disposed below, said cover plate for supporting a uid container below-the cover plate, a conduit carried 7D by, and extending through, the cover plate, for providing communication with said container` from above the cover plate, said conduit being extended upwardly from the cover plate to a position above said floor to provide ready access to the conduit at said position in the handling l of said fluids, and raising means for r aising and lowering the cover plate and support member, the raising of the cover plate uncovering the open space and moving the cover plate and conduit out of operating position and the raising of the support member moving the container up out of said open space to a position made accessible from said iioor by said movement of the cover plate and conduit, the lowering of the cover plate covering the open space and moving the cover plate and conduit into operating position and the lowering of the support member moving the container down in the said open space below the level of said floor tol unobstruct said operations.

15. In an apparatus for dispensing fluid from a fluid container to a position accessible to dispensing operations combusted upon a floor, said- \communicate with the container supported on the second platform member, and means for raising and lowering said first platform member and said second platform member relative to the floor, the raising of the platform members uncovering said `open 'space and moving the said container up into a position accessible from said floor to permit replacement of the container on the second platform member, the lowering of the platform members closing said open space and moving the container down in the open space away from said position accessible to dispensing operations to permit unobstructed dispensing operations through the conduit carried by the said standard.

16. The combination of cover means for closing an open space provided in a floor, support means connected to the cover means for supporting a fluid container in dispensing position within said open space and below'I the cover means,l conduit means carried by, and extending through, the cover means for providing communication with said container within the open space from a position above thecover means, dispensing means in communication with said conduit means for dispensing through the conduit`means fluid from the `container within said open space and below the cover means, and raising means for raising and lowering the coverl means and support means, the raising of said cover meansand support means uncovering the open space and moving the container to a position accessible from the oor for replacement of the container, the lowering of said cover means and support means moving the container down into dispensing position within the open space and moving the cover means to cover the open space.

KENNETH S. CLAPP. 

